Using Infographics on Websites

Infographics or information graphics are commonly used in websites to enhance online communication. Just like diagrams and graphs, infographics also fit well in most online settings. Many website visitors tend to scan a webpage and reading information-rich visual representation can make it easier for them to understand main ideas. Rather than using long, dreary paragraphs on a single webpage, you can use attractive graphics and graphs. Infographics are immensely useful on the Internet because they:

Grab Attention Easily:

Graphics are easier to understand. Pictures are preferred by children and adults alike over lengthy paragraphs.

Save Time:

Searching specific bits of information among long paragraphs requires focused attention and efforts. Properly-designed infographics can deliver densely-packed data to average users without causing confusion and information overload.

Ideal Representation Tools for Statistical Data:

People love interesting facts, but first, they must be unearthed from raw statistical data. Infographics can enhance the credibility factor of a website. Popular news websites, such as CNN.com, strategically use infographics to make visitors aware of the accuracy and reliability of information.

Motivate Readers to do desired Actions:

Infographics can trigger people interest and encourage them to do certain actions. After successfully putting your point across, users may even voluntary do favorable actions.

Allow Easy Information Sharing:

Infographics on webpages can be saved easily to local storage. It makes information sharing much easier as images can be distributed online through various means.

It is clear that that infographics can help you convey messages from webpages effectively. They solve issues related to decreasing attention span that affects many Internet users. Web designers can make their infographics appealing by:

1. Keeping them Simple

Infographics should focus on a specific topic and answer one question only. Trying to cover too many within an infographic can get readers confused. Average Internet users know what make information interesting and you should only present them only what’s important.

2. Understanding users Characteristics

Consider whether your infographics are usable for the general public or just a set of users. People who visit your webpage may come from all walks of life; impatient businesspeople, playful fourth graders, information-hungry online university students, you name it. Having a narrower group of users can make it easier for you to choose specific images and phrases. For example, infographics used on car websites are typically different from those on news websites, which are designed for general public.

3. Placing them Properly

Put infographics on where website visitors can easily see it. A general rule of thumb is to put infographics directly under the title. But, it may also be effective to put infographics directly under a highly-relevant paragraph.

4. Suppressing the Urge to “Tell”

Infographics are meant to “show” information, which make them more suitable for those with short span of attention. Some designers mistakenly use an ample amount of text, negating the main benefits of infographics.

5. Limiting the use of Traditional Graphs

Remember when your teachers asked you to shade parts of a bar graph based on simple statistical data. Often they ask you to compare time-based data using this simplistic graph style. Infographics are ideal replacements of traditional graphs. But, instead of using pie charts and bar graphs, choose an object that best represents your data. For example, statistical data on annual coffee consumption of each country can be represented by cups of varying sizes superimposed on the world map. Proper use of infographics is about replacing conventional charts and graphs in a way that attracts more attention from website visitors.

6. Thinking Outside the Box

Infographics offer a million and one ways to deliver information from boring text into something easy to understand and ridiculously simple. Because infographics offer a good deal of freedom and flexibility; inject some amount of humor, relevant personalities and interesting punch lines to them.

7. Using Colors Properly

Effective color combinations are important for any infographic. Don’t use clashing colors like shocking red and bright yellow. It is better to start with primary colors first and then add other shades whenever necessary. While you need to use the lightest color available for the background, it is a good idea to avoid using pure white as most webpages in the Internet already use it. It is important to be sensitive to color combinations that make content hard to read. Don’t use bright yellow text with light cream background, as it would be hard for website visitors to read. Experiment is the keyword here.

8. Using Proper Narrative

You should effectively point out why it is necessary for visitors to follow your infographics. A fully compelling infographics can make visitors feel like they are missing something worthwhile if they fail to fully comprehend them. Use an interesting narrative and treat your visitors like a three-year old. Visitors often enjoy being read to, as they can get more information with less effort.

9. Understand your Data

The origin of your data and the meaning beyond those figures may affect how you should formulate infographics.

Conclusion

Infographics can enhance the effectiveness of web content. They can save a lot of efforts and time by delivering simple data visualization. Professionals understand that infographics can bring desired impacts on consumers’ mind. Graphics are potentially the most eye-catching website element and by arranging them into infographics, they are far more effective than plain text. Infographics often become the central part of a webpage and your credibility maybe at stake here. Once you do it wrongly, visitors will likely be doubtful on your future articles and infographics. Always cite whenever possible and be one hundred percent sure that your data is completely reliable.